Logical Reasoning · Principle (Match the Principle)

PrepTest 118 · Section 4 · Question 21

Phase 1 (your first ~400 questions): read the guidance, then answer. No clock.

Step 1 · Pre-Question Guidance · read this first

Question type

Principle (Match the Principle)

The one idea it tests

A rule about manners can limit how and when ideas are shared without forbidding the ideas themselves.

The basic logic

Pin down the principle's two parts: there are times when a touchy idea should not be raised, and when it is raised, the talk must be polite. The rule does not ban ideas or call for laws. Match a judgment that keeps the discussion going but polices the manner of it.

Tiny words that decide it

“not necessarily”
“rather”
“where”

Playground logic

Ms. Rivera's burger: you may argue about touchy topics, but some moments are the wrong time, and when it is the right time, you argue politely. The matching judgment keeps the debate alive and only stops the rude part.

Step 2 · The kid story

The Great Recess Debate Rules

Frankie and Sharon were arguing again: was tag or four square the best recess game? It got loud. Ms. Rivera held up a hand. "Here are my manners rules. You are allowed to disagree about touchy things. I will not ban the topic." Frankie looked relieved. "But," she went on, "not during the spelling quiz. And when it is the right time, like class meeting, you argue kindly. No calling anyone's game 'baby stuff.'" Sharon frowned. "So we can still fight about it?" "Discuss it," said Ms. Rivera. "Politely." Marcus whispered, "I bet she bans four square by Friday." Lulu wrote on her clipboard: Manners are about how and when, not whether. Priya sipped her juice box. "Marcus, that's not what she said at all."

Step 3 · Try the model question

Ms. Rivera's manners rules do not ban any topic, even a touchy one. Instead, they say some moments are the wrong time for a touchy topic, and when it is the right time, students must argue politely.

Which ruling about a class situation best fits Ms. Rivera's manners rules?

Step 4 · The courtroom tale

The Case of the Heated Library Meeting

The library board had banned a speaker from its town forum. Mr. Whitfield represented the speaker. "Your Honor, the board's own manners code says it does not forbid any topic. It says some times are wrong, like during the children's story hour, and that when a topic is discussed, it must be discussed civilly." The board's lawyer shrugged. "His views upset people." "Upsetting is allowed," said Mr. Whitfield. "Shouting insults is not. So the fair move was to let him speak at the evening forum and have the host stop any insults, from him or anyone." The judge nodded. "The code governs the manner, not the message. The ban is lifted."

Step 5 · Work the real question

Open PrepTest 118, Section 4, Question 21 in your official copy from LSAC (for example in LawHub) and read it there.

Your answer

How to apply it

First, restate the principle in your own words, with its parts: what it does not require (no bans, no laws), and what it does require (the right setting and a polite manner). Then test each choice: does the judgment keep the discussion allowed while limiting only its timing or manner? Cross out choices that silence ideas outright, that add conditions the principle never mentions, or that are about being nice in general rather than about discussing ideas.